The Social Security Commissioners (Procedure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999

Delegation of functions to authorised officers

7.—(1) The following functions of Commissioners may be exercised by legally qualified authorised officers, to be known as legal officers to the Commissioners—

(a) giving directions under regulations 8 and 20;

(b) determining requests for or directing hearings under regulation 23;

(c) summoning witnesses, and setting aside a summons made by a legal officer, under regulation 25;

(d) postponing a hearing under regulation 5;

(e) giving leave to withdraw or reinstate applications, appeals or references under regulation 26;

(f) waiving irregularities under regulation 27 in connection with any matter being dealt with by a legal officer;

(g) extending or abridging time, directing expedition, giving notices, striking out and reinstating proceedings under regulation 5.

(2) Any party may, within 14 days of being sent notice of the direction or order of a legal officer, make a written request to a Commissioner asking him to reconsider the matter and confirm or replace the direction or order with his own, but, unless ordered by a Commissioner, a request shall not stop proceedings under the direction or order.